Bangladesh, Palestine earn qualifying wins

Bangladesh and Palestine moved closer to second-round qualifying in Asia for the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday.

Bangladesh comfortably accounted for Pakistan 3-0 at the Bangabandhu Stadium in their first-round first-leg, thanks to goals from Zahid Hasan Emily, Mohamed Zahid Hossain and Rethul Karim.

Pakistan coach Tariq Lutfi has a mountain of work to do to pick his side up before Sunday’s return leg in Lahore if they are to book a spot in the second round to face Lebanon.

Palestine, meanwhile, had goals from Murad Alyan and Ismail Al Amour to thank for their 2-0 win over Afghanistan at the Metallurg Stadium.

Sri Lanka and the Philippines head into their second-round match locked at 1-1, after Nate Burkey’s 50th minute equaliser cancelled out Sri Lankan Chathura Gunarathna’s first-half opener.

Cambodia twice came from behind before claiming a 4-2 win over Laos, who will now have it all to do in the second leg on Sunday if they are too tee up a second-round clash with China.

A 71st minute strike from Ju Manu Rai handed Nepal a 2-1 win over East Timor, and a goal from Tsend-Ayush Khurelbaatar three minutes before half-time gave Mongolia a 1-0 win over Myanmar.